THE BILLIONAIRE REBATE SYSTEM

Chapter 2: Money Changes the Room

“This… this can’t be real.”

The manager’s voice trembled. Derrick didn’t answer right away. He simply watched as the man refreshed the screen on his tablet again. And again.

The numbers didn’t change. Ten luxury vehicles. Fully paid. No delays. No flags. No fraud warnings. The showroom, once buzzing with mockery, had gone dead silent.

One of the saleswomen swallowed hard. “Manager… the funds cleared.”

Another whispered, “That’s… that’s impossible.”

The manager slowly lifted his head and looked at Derrick again, as if seeing him for the first time. “No,” he said. “There must be some mistake.”

Derrick smiled faintly. “You said humiliation was free,” he replied. “I’m just paying for the rest.”

Security hesitated. “Let him go,” the manager snapped suddenly. “Now.”

The guards released Derrick’s arms immediately. Their grip loosened like hands touching something radioactive.

The girl beside Derrick, the driver from last night, stared at him, eyes wide. “You…” she said quietly, “who are you?”

Derrick glanced at her. “A man who doesn’t like being underestimated,” he said.

The manager forced a stiff smile. “Sir, earlier there was a misunderstanding”

“No,” Derrick interrupted. “There was clarity.”

The manager’s jaw tightened. “How may we serve you?”

The shift was instant. Too instant. Derrick turned slowly, letting the room feel it. “I want an apology,” he said.

One of the saleswomen stiffened. “An apology?”

“Yes,” Derrick replied. “From you. And from him.”

He pointed at the manager. The man’s face flushed. “Sir”

“I scratched a car,” Derrick said calmly. “You decided I was trash. Now I’ve bought your entire monthly quota in one swipe.”

He stepped closer. “So say it.”

The manager clenched his fists. “I apologize,” he said stiffly.

Louder,” Derrick said.

“I apologize,” the manager repeated, teeth grinding, “for my disrespect.”

Derrick nodded. Then turned to the saleswomen. “And you?”

Silence. Then one by one, “I’m sorry.”

“Our mistake.”

“We judged too quickly.”

Derrick exhaled slowly. It wasn’t satisfying. Not the way he’d imagined. The girl leaned closer. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes,” Derrick said quietly. “I did.”

A familiar voice cut through the air. “Well, well.”

Derrick’s body stiffened. He knew that voice. Too well. Sophie stepped out from behind a pillar, heels clicking sharply against the polished floor.

She looked flawless. Expensive coat. Perfect makeup. And that same expression. Disdain, lightly masked by surprise. “So it is you,” she said. “I thought they were joking.”

Derrick turned. For a moment, no one spoke. Then Sophie laughed softly. “You bought ten cars?”

She looked around. “Did you rob a bank?”

The manager hurried over. “Miss, this gentleman is a VIP”

Sophie waved him off. “I know who he is.”

She looked at Derrick. “Or rather, who he was.”

The room leaned in. “You always liked pretending,” Sophie continued. “Is this another fantasy?”

Derrick met her eyes. “You should leave.”

She smiled wider. “Or what?”

The system pulsed. ''Warning: Emotional instability detected.''

Derrick ignored it. Sophie stepped closer. “You remember what my uncle said about you?”

Derrick didn’t respond. She leaned in. “Men like you don’t suddenly become kings.”

The girl beside Derrick frowned. “Who is she?”

“My ex,” Derrick said flatly.

Sophie’s eyes flicked to her. “Ex is generous.”

The girl bristled. “You don’t know him.”

Sophie laughed. “I know exactly what he’s worth.”

The system chimed. ''Spending opportunity detected.''

Derrick’s fingers tightened. “Get out,” he said.

Sophie scoffed. “Still issuing orders?”

She turned to the manager. “You really sold him cars?”

The manager hesitated. “The transaction”

Sophie interrupted. “Reverse it.”

“I’m sorry?” the manager said.

“My family does business with Porsche globally,” Sophie said coolly. “If this sale embarrasses us”

Derrick stepped forward. “Touch my purchase,” he said, “and I’ll buy the building.”

Silence crashed down. Sophie stared at him. Then laughed. “That’s cute,” she said. “You think money gives you authority?”

Derrick leaned closer. “It gives me options.”

Their eyes locked. Something flickered across Sophie’s face. Doubt. She recovered quickly. “Enjoy your fantasy,” she said. “It won’t last.”

She turned and walked away. The doors closed behind her. The girl exhaled shakily. “She’s… intense.”

Derrick said nothing. ''System Evaluation Initiated.''

He froze. “What now?” he muttered.

System ''Host exhibits unresolved emotional attachment.''

“Attachment?” Derrick snapped internally. “I hate her.”

''Hatred is attachment.''

The girl looked at him. “Are you okay?”

“I need to spend money,” Derrick said suddenly.

“What?”

“Come with me,” he said.

“Where?”

“Somewhere public.”

They exited the dealership. Cameras followed. Outside, reporters had gathered. “Sir! Is it true you bought ten Porsches?”

“What’s your net worth?”

“Are you a new investor?”

Derrick turned to the girl. “Your name.”

“Luna,” she said. “Luna Vale.”

Derrick nodded. “Luna. Pick something.”

She blinked. “What?”

“Anything,” Derrick said. “Clothes. Jewelry. A building. Whatever you want.”

Reporters gasped. Luna hesitated. “I don’t need”

“Pick,” Derrick said firmly.

She pointed weakly across the street. “That… boutique?”

Derrick walked. Inside, a clerk froze. “Close the store,” Derrick said. “Everything inside. Wrap it.”

Luna stared. “Derrick, this is insane.”

“Trust me,” he said.

The card tapped. ''Transaction: $3,200,000''

Phones buzzed. ''Rebate: $32,000,000''

Derrick exhaled. The system pulsed again, but this time, colder.

''New Rule Unlocking.''

His smile faded. “What rule?” he asked internally.

''Future rebates will require emotional intent.''

Derrick stopped walking. “Define intent,” he demanded.

''Spending without purpose will yield diminishing returns.''

Luna touched his arm. “Derrick?”

He looked at her. The city felt louder. Sharper. Money wasn’t enough. Not anymore. Sophie’s words echoed in his mind. ''Men like you don’t suddenly become kings.''

Derrick straightened. “Then I’ll become something else,” he said quietly.

''System acknowledgment registered.''

Far away, Sophie paused in her car. Her phone buzzed. A message from her uncle.

“Find out where Derrick Wallance got his money.”

She smiled slowly. “Oh,” she murmured. “This just got interesting.”